Brugge vs Leicester City team news: Islam Slimani makes debut on Foxes' Champions League bow

Claudio Ranieri makes two changes from the side that lost to Liverpool at the weekend

Islam Slimani is a club-record signing for Leicester City (Getty)

Claudio Ranieri has handed £30m new signing Islam Slimani a debut for Leicester City’s maiden group stage match in the Champions League against Club Brugge tonight.

The Italian makes two changes from the side which succumbed to a disheartening 4-1 defeat by Liverpool in the Premier League at the weekend with Luis Hernandez coming in for Danny Simpson, who has a hamstring injury.

But it is Slimani’s inclusion which raises eyebrows the most with the Algerian striker coming in for Shinji Okazaki despite only training with the Foxes on two occasions since his switch from Sporting Lisbon on deadline day.

Defensive pair Wes Morgan and Robert Huth continue at the back for the Premier League champions while Daniel Amartay keeps his place in midfield alongside Danny Drinkwater despite struggling at Anfield on Saturday.

Riyad Mahrez makes his Champions League debut on the right flank, as does Marc Albrighton on the opposite side, with Christian Fuchs at left-back.

Ranieri played down his side’s chances yesterday but acknowledged just what a momentous occasion it is for his players and the club’s supporters.

“My players didn't know the Champions League, only by the TV,” the 64-year-old said.

“Also a lot of journalists stay with us around Europe and this is a gift to everyone because our players worked so hard to achieve this goal. Now we have to think about Brugge. They are a good team used to playing Champions League and the Europa League.

“We are the last [ranked team]. Leicester and Rostov are the last. Of course we want to win. Some people say Leicester can win the group ... I say be calm. Porto have good experience. Bruges have good experience. Copenhagen have good experience. We want to write something good, we have to fight with a lot of respect for everybody.”

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Hernández, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton, Slimani, Vardy.

Subs: Zieler, Chilwell, Musa, King, Gray, Ulloa, Wasilewski.

Club Brugge: Butelle, van Rhijn, Engels, Denswill, De Bock, Simons, Vormer, Pina, Vanaken, Diaby, Izquiedro.

Subs: Bruzzese, Poulain, Claudemir, Vosse, Gedoz, Cools, Bollingoli.